Is Kind of Blue the Best Jazz Album Ever

Short answer: yes. No contest whatsoever.
I own Brubeck, Chet, Coletrane etc. Etc.
But a lot of that stuff sounds like Mr. Rogers music in comparison.
Of course, this is simply my opinion, and only an opinion.
BTW, I went to the 50th anniversay show here, magnificent!
They played 3 bebop numbers to close the set. Stunning!
I agree that bebop ruined jazz, suddenly there was a style that damn few were qualified to play competently!
To be a jazz musician used to actually mean something.
Now we have Sting, Diana Krall, Norah Jones.....
I'll take the pioneers and originators any day.

Fripp1, while off-post, I too am interested in hearing more from Lloydc regarding bebop as a wrong turning in jazz.

There is not a best of anything. But the most underated jazz CD that no one has heard of and everyone should buy is a CD by Ray Conig Jr titled TRIO. It has no vocals and consists of a stand up bass, piano and drums. Sometimes simple is best. Give it a listen.

Fripp 1, Mapman, I was kidding. Hyperbole.

Glad you clarified that,Lloydc, because your comments and my new-found-interest in hardbop were about to make me feel like I'm totally missing the point.

It would have been back to SunRa, Eric Dolphy and my wife wondering WTF I'm listening to.